FoodPharmer 5 foods that fool you: The definitive label guide
Revant Himatsingka’s latest viral video on “5 Indian packaged foods that fool the public” has reignited India’s debate over misleading labels and everyday snacks.
Food influencer Revant Himatsingka, better known as FoodPharmer, has once again pushed India’s packaged food industry into the spotlight.
On 1 September 2026, he posted a new video and X thread titled “5 Indian packaged foods that fool the public”, urging people to join the #LabelPadhegaIndia campaign and “share to spread awareness.” Within hours, the content had been forwarded across WhatsApp groups, stitched into Instagram reels, and dissected on Twitter.
For millions of Indian shoppers wondering “FoodPharmer 5 foods that fool you – what’s true?”, this guide breaks down the claims, the science, and what you should do next.
FoodPharmer 5 foods that fool you: What exactly happened?
In his Revant Himatsingka packaged food video and parallel X post, FoodPharmer lists five widely sold Indian packaged foods as examples of “misleading labels” and “healthy-looking” products that may not be as good as they seem.
The video and thread focus on patterns, not just individual brands:
- Front-of-pack health claims that highlight protein, fibre, “diet” or “zero cholesterol,” while the nutrition table reveals high sugar, refined flour, or cheap fats.
- Buzzwords like “natural”, “multigrain”, “diet”, “baked”, “low fat” that create a health halo but hide high sodium, added sugar, or refined ingredients.
- Cute mascots, fitness imagery, or doctor endorsements that imply everyday or children’s use, even when the product is closer to a dessert than a staple.
The campaign is framed as a public request to food companies to “reduce misleading labels” and a call to consumers: “Label Padhega India” – India will read labels.
The viral posts
FoodPharmer’s message is being spread via:
- An X post captioned: “Share to spread awareness! 5 Indian packaged foods that fool the public. Request to food companies to reduce misleading labels! Label Padhega India!”
- A Facebook video with the same caption, urging users to forward it with the line “Share to spread awareness!”
- An Instagram reel under the #LabelPadhegaIndia banner, packaged as a simple, 60–90 second explainer aimed at everyday shoppers.
The content rides on the momentum of his earlier campaigns – notably the Bournvita video that triggered a national conversation about sugar and “health drink” marketing – and builds a broader narrative: misleading labels in Indian snacks are not an exception; they are a pattern.
Label Padhega India campaign: Why this is hitting a nerve now
FoodPharmer’s Label Padhega India campaign started with a simple idea: what if every Indian started reading food labels? Over the past few years, that idea has evolved into a movement involving:
- Viral videos and social posts explaining sugar, sodium, seed oils, and protein in plain language.
- On-camera conversations with regulators – including Maharashtra FDA officials – about misleading advertisements and celebrity endorsements of unhealthy foods.
- A sustained push for front-of-pack warning labels for products high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Timing matters.
India’s food regulator FSSAI has recently proposed red hexagon front-of-pack warnings for packaged foods that cross set thresholds for sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.
Industry has pushed back, while health advocates argue that such warnings are essential to cut non-communicable diseases.
FoodPharmer’s latest video taps directly into this debate.
By showcasing “misleading labels Indian snacks” and drinks, he’s effectively saying: if the front is allowed to stay confusing, the back must become our weapon.
Which Indian packaged foods are unhealthy – and how do they “fool” you?
FoodPharmer’s video does not just name brands; it points to recurring tricks used across categories.
Below is a breakdown of the main patterns he highlights, along with examples seen across the Indian market.
1. “Diet” and “baked” snacks that are still high in fat and salt
Many “diet namkeens”, “baked chips” and “multigrain sticks” are marketed as healthier alternatives.
They often use phrases like “40% less fat than regular chips”, “baked not fried”, or “multigrain goodness”.
But when you flip the pack, you may see:
- Total fat per 100 g still close to typical fried snacks.
- High sodium (often 600–900 mg per 100 g or more).
- Refined flour as the main ingredient, with only cosmetic amounts of other grains.
In practice, this means a “diet” pack that can still contribute significantly to daily salt and fat intake.
The “less bad” label becomes a health halo, encouraging more frequent snacking.
2. “High protein” or “healthy bars” built on sugar and cheap fats
Protein and energy bars, granola bars, and even some “breakfast bars” are positioned as smart choices for busy professionals or kids.
Front labels may shout “10 g protein”, “no artificial preservatives”, “high fibre”.
But the ingredients list often reveals:
- Added sugars in multiple forms – sugar, glucose syrup, honey, jaggery, fructose – appearing among the first few ingredients.
- Palm oil or other cheap vegetable oils used as binding/fat sources.
- Portion sizes that make the per-bar sugar load comparable to a small chocolate.
FoodPharmer’s earlier content has specifically called out popular snack bars and “healthy” granola brands for these patterns, warning consumers not to trust the front-of-pack claims blindly.
3. Kids’ drinks and malt powders with dessert-level sugar
This is the category that first made FoodPharmer a household name.
His critique of children’s “health drinks” showed that:
- A single serving can contain 6–8 teaspoons of sugar, once you account for added sugar plus inherent sugars in malt and milk solids.
- Labelling often emphasises vitamins, minerals, and growth claims, while sugar content is downplayed.
In the “5 foods that fool you” framing, this category remains central: products that position themselves as daily nutrition, but nutritionally behave like sweetened treats.
4. “Natural” and “100% pure” claims that ignore processing and additives
Some oils, juices, and honey products use “100% natural”, “pure”, “no added sugar” prominently.
However, FoodPharmer and other watchdogs have noted that:
- “No added sugar” may still mean very high intrinsic sugar (as in juice) without fibre.
- “Natural” is not a regulated health claim in India; even products with flavourings, colours or refining can use the term.
Recent coverage around FSSAI’s action against certain “natural” claims has underscored how easily shoppers can be misled when marketing language outruns regulation.
5. “Zero cholesterol” and “heart healthy” tags on ultra-processed foods
Plant-based processed foods – snacks, instant mixes, dessert powders – routinely display “zero cholesterol”.
That statement is technically true for plant-based products, which do not contain cholesterol.
The issue: consumers may interpret “zero cholesterol” as “good for the heart”, even when the product is:
- High in saturated fats (like palm oil or hydrogenated fats).
- Loaded with sugar and sodium, which are strongly linked to heart disease risk.
FoodPharmer’s campaign argues that scientifically empty claims, while legally compliant, are still misleading when they exploit consumer confusion.
How do FoodPharmer’s claims fit into India’s food rules?
To understand the impact of the Label Padhega India campaign, it helps to see where it sits in India’s regulatory landscape.
FSSAI rules on nutrition and health claims
India’s food safety regulator, FSSAI, regulates what can be said on food labels.
Broadly:
- Nutrition facts (energy, protein, fat, sugar, sodium, etc.) must be displayed, usually per 100 g/ml and per serving.
- Nutrient claims (like “low fat”, “source of fibre”) have specific conditions.
- Health claims (like “heart healthy”, “good for growth”) must not be misleading and are supposed to be backed by scientific evidence.
However, enforcement has historically struggled to keep up with creative marketing, especially on social media and in-store promotions.
The proposed front-of-pack warning labels
FSSAI has proposed front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) using red hexagon warnings for foods high in:
- Total sugar
- Saturated fat
- Sodium
Under this proposal, packaged foods crossing defined thresholds would need a visible warning symbol on the front.
Public health experts see this as crucial to cut rising obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Industry groups argue the thresholds are too strict and could hurt business.
FoodPharmer’s video explicitly references this proposal, urging regulators not to “fool the public again” by allowing diluted or confusing labelling.
Misleading advertisements and endorsements
Regulators and consumer groups have raised concerns about:
- Celebrities and influencers endorsing high-sugar foods as fitness or family staples.
- Ads targeting children with cartoons and game tie-ins.
FoodPharmer’s campaign resonates because it tackles both issues: label confusion and advertising narratives.
He repeatedly stresses that front-of-pack labels and ads must align with what the nutrition table actually says.
What this means for the average Indian shopper
If you buy snacks, drinks, biscuits, namkeens, or “health” products for your family, FoodPharmer’s 5 packaged foods that fool you video is not just online drama.
It points to real, everyday risks:
- You may be over-consuming sugar and salt without realising, because labels focus on positives and hide the negatives in small fonts.
- You may be paying a premium price for “better for you” marketing, even when the product is nutritionally similar to cheaper options.
- Children may grow up thinking sweetened drinks and bars are “health foods”, normalising high sugar intake.
The controversy is not about one product.
It is about a labelling culture where:
- Anything can be fronted with green leaves, running silhouettes or yoga poses.
- Tiny serving sizes make numbers look better on paper than they are in real life.
- Ingredient lists are technical and hard to interpret, increasing reliance on front claims.
FoodPharmer’s message is blunt: you cannot outsource health decisions to marketing.
How to read labels so you don’t get fooled
You do not need to become a nutritionist to protect yourself from misleading labels Indian snacks and drinks.
Focus on a few practical steps.
Step 1: Ignore the front, flip the pack
Treat the front as advertising.
The back is where facts live.
When you flip the pack, look first at:
- Ingredients list – ingredients are listed in descending order by weight.
- Nutrition table per 100 g/ml – this lets you compare across brands.
Step 2: Check sugar and sodium, not just calories
For most Indian consumers, the biggest hidden risks in packaged foods are sugar and sodium.
A simple thumb rule:
- For everyday products, aim for less than ~5 g sugar per 100 g (the lower, the better).
- For savoury snacks, prefer products under 300 mg sodium per 100 g when possible.
These are not official cut-offs, but consumer-friendly benchmarks derived from widely cited public health guidance.
Step 3: Decode common marketing phrases
Here’s how to interpret some frequently seen terms:
- “Diet” / “lite” / “smart” – rarely a regulated claim; check fat and sodium.
- “Baked” – means baking was used, but total fat can still be high.
- “Multigrain” – does not guarantee whole grains; if refined wheat flour tops the ingredients, it’s largely regular flour.
- “No added sugar” – can still be high in natural sugar; check total sugar.
- “Natural” – not a guarantee of health; look at ingredients.
Step 4: Watch portion sizes and frequency
Even if a product is high in sugar or salt, you do not have to avoid it forever.
The bigger danger is daily, habitual use.
Ask yourself:
- Is this a treat or an everyday staple in your house?
- Are children drinking or eating it once a day or more?
FoodPharmer’s core message is about informed frequency: know what you are consuming, then decide how often.
Practical takeaways: How to use #LabelPadhegaIndia in your life
If you want to act on the Label Padhega India campaign rather than just share the video, you can:
- Pick 3 products you buy regularly (a snack, a drink, a breakfast item) and read the labels this week.
- Switch one product to a genuinely lower-sugar or lower-salt alternative, or reduce frequency if no good alternative exists.
- Teach children and older family members how to spot sugar and salt on a label.
- Ask brands questions – many companies respond when consumers publicly ask about sugar, sodium, and ingredients.
FoodPharmer’s campaigns show that even individual, small actions can have collective impact, especially when regulators and media are already paying attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FoodPharmer’s “5 foods that fool you” video about?
It is a short explainer where Revant Himatsingka highlights five categories of popular Indian packaged foods that use health-themed marketing while being high in sugar, salt, refined flour or cheap oils. The aim is to show how front-of-pack labels can mislead consumers who do not read the nutrition table.
Is FoodPharmer saying these five packaged foods are unsafe?
No, the campaign focuses on how the products are marketed rather than calling them unsafe or illegal. The core claim is that labels and ads can create a health halo, leading people to over-consume foods that should be treated as occasional treats.
Which Indian packaged foods are unhealthy according to this campaign?
The video points to patterns more than specific brands: diet and baked snacks with high salt, protein and granola bars high in sugar and palm oil, kids’ drinks with dessert-level sugar, and products using “natural” or “zero cholesterol” claims despite poor overall nutrition. The message is to judge each product by its full label, not its marketing.
What did FSSAI say about misleading labels and front-of-pack warnings?
FSSAI has proposed red hexagon front-of-pack warnings for products high in sugar, salt and fat, and has rules governing nutrition and health claims on labels. The debate now is about how strong and clear those warnings should be, and how strictly misleading advertisements and endorsements are policed.
Should I stop buying the packaged snacks and drinks my family likes?
You do not need to ban them completely, but you should stop treating them as everyday staples or health products. Read the labels, understand the sugar, salt and fat content, and then limit portion sizes and frequency while prioritising less processed foods for daily use.